Brazil Introduces 24-Hour Hold on Large Crypto Transfers

Brazil’s central bank will require crypto exchanges to delay certain transfers to foreign crypto platforms and self-custody wallets for up to 24 hours under new anti-fraud rules.

The requirement was introduced in Resolution BCB No. 584/2026, published on August 7, and will take effect on January 1, 2027. It applies to transfers worth more than $10,000, including cases where the amount is split across several transactions made on the same day. Exchanges can also delay smaller transfers if they consider them risky.

The rule covers customers who deposit Brazilian reais or crypto with an exchange and then attempt to send the funds abroad or to a wallet they control. The central bank said crypto assets, including stablecoins, are being used to move money obtained through financial fraud before it can be recovered.

The 24-hour period is not an automatic freeze. Exchanges can release a transfer earlier if their risk assessment finds no signs of fraud, but they must document the decision and inform the customer when a transfer is placed on hold.

The new rules also give exchanges more responsibility for assessing transaction risk based on factors including the customer, transaction, counterparty, and destination jurisdiction.